New research shows ultra marathons could add 16 years to your life

EXCLUSIVE: ULTRA Marathon running could extend life by up to 16 years, Victorian research reveals.

Lucie van den Berg medical reporter

HeraldSunNovember 20, 20136:24am

Marathons give you another 16 yearsSource:News Limited

EXCLUSIVE: ULTRA Marathon running appears to have the extraordinary effect of extending life by up to 16 years.

New Victorian research reveals that running long-distance runs can slow the ageing process by protecting the part of the body that stops the genes from fraying.

Runners in The Federation University Australia study had an average age of 43, but their biological age was just 27.

But for those not partial to pounding 40km worth of pavement, the researchers believe similar life-extending benefits could be achieved by high-intensity interval training.

The findings from the state's new university, which combines both University of Ballarat and Monash University Gippsland, challenges old assumptions that extreme exercise had a detrimental impact on the body.

School of Health Sciences Professor Fadi Charchar and PhD student Joshua Denham analysed the DNA of 67 ultra marathon runners to see what the impact of running long distances had on the length of their telomeres.

These structures are made up of DNA and protein and act as protective caps on the ends of chromosomes.

Prof Charchar said telomeres influence how quickly cells age.

The shorter the telomeres become over time; the faster the cells deteriorate.

The findings, to be presented at the Australian Society for Medical Research National Conference, found ultra-marathon runners clocking up 40-100 km a week had 11 per cent longer telomeres.